Gena Rowlands, Star of Gloria and The Notebook, Dies at 94

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Gena Rowlands, a truly remarkable actress who graced our screens with her captivating performances for over six decades. Her life and career were nothing short of extraordinary, from her humble beginnings on the primetime soap opera “Peyton Place” to her groundbreaking collaborations with her husband John Cassavetes that defined independent cinema in America.


Legendary actress Gena Rowlands, known for her roles in ‘A Woman Under the Influence’, ‘Opening Night’, ‘Gloria’, and ‘The Notebook’, passed away on Wednesday at her residence in Indian Wells, CA. As reported by TMZ, the cause of death is yet to be disclosed; however, it’s known that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019.

For the first time, Rowlands gained recognition on the prime-time soap opera “Peyton Place”. Notable actors who also emerged from this series include Mia Farrow and Barbara Parkins, known for her role in “Valley of the Dolls”. While studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she encountered her first husband John Cassavetes. They married in 1954 and went on to create a total of 10 films together, starting with “A Child Is Waiting” in 1963. Their collaborations significantly contributed to the development of independent cinema in America. Rowlands was nominated for two roles: “A Woman Under the Influence” and “Gloria”. She won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 1977 Berlin Film Festival for “Opening Night”. Additionally, she starred in Woody Allen’s “Another Woman”. In 2015, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored her with the Governors Award.

2004 saw me gracing the screen in my son Nick Cassavetes’ movie, “The Notebook.” I portrayed the matured version of Allie Hamilton, played by Rachel McAdams. Nick himself found it poignant that our real-life circumstances mirrored what we were depicting on set, remarking, “We experienced it, she enacted it, and now it’s a part of both of us.”

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2024-08-15 04:53